Firecracker Ban on Diwali 2020: Ahead of Diwali 2020, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in NCR. The NGT also ordered a similar ban in all cities and towns where air quality falls below ‘poor’. In NCR, the ban on firecrackers will come into effect from midnight of November 9 to midnight of November 30, 2020.
The bench said, “The cities/towns where air quality is ”moderate” or below, only green crackers be sold, and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali, Chhath, New Year and Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the state concerned.”
Know about rules in different states:
Delhi-NCR
On Monday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) from midnight of November 9 to midnight of November 30.
After two days of announcing a ‘complete ban’ on the sale of firecrackers, the Haryana government on Monday allowed bursting firecrackers for two hours from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurab, and from 11.55 pm till 12:30 am on Christmas and New Year’s eve. The decision has been taken in view of the rising levels of pollution while adhering to the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to decrease air pollution.
West Bengal
In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Calcutta High Court has banned the use of firecrackers in West Bengal on Diwali, Kali Puja. Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay had said that with everybody’s cooperation, we want to hold the Kali Puja and Diwali festivals avoiding firecrackers.
Odisha
The Odisha government banned the sale and use of firecrackers across the state from November 10 to 30. The state government said that it has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers in public interest considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amidst COVID-19 pandemic situation and approaching winter.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had issued directions to ban the sale of firecrackers and restrict their use to protect COVID-19 patients and the public from their ill-effects. “In order to protect the health of COVID-19 infected patients and general public due to poisonous smoke emanating from firecrackers, strict action has been taken to prohibit the sale of firecrackers in the state and restrict the movement of vehicles without fitness certificate,” Gehlot tweeted.
Karnataka
The state government of Karnataka has allowed the usage of ‘green crackers’, as per Supreme Court guidelines during Deepavali. While announcing the decision, the Karnataka government stressed on restrictions to contain the coronavirus infection, only green crackers will be sold from November 7 to November 16.
Chandigarh
The sale or use of firecrackers has been completely banned in Chandigarh in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said here on Friday.
Maharashtra
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday announced a ban on use of firecrackers and fireworks in Mumbai.
